Should Roe v. Wade be overturned? Here's how Wisconsin would be affected
WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- While the Supreme Court considers a Mississippi law that makes abortion illegal 15 weeks into a pregnancy, advocates on both sides say there's a lot on the line in Wisconsin.
That's because justices are not only talking about what to do with abortion in Mississippi, they're falling back to the bigger picture of Roe. v. Wade.
The possibility of overturning the historic case is a real possibility, and should that happen, things would immediately change in Wisconsin.
"This is the biggest threat to abortion access in over 50 years," said Tanya Atkinson, president & CEO of Planned Parenthood.
The state of Wisconsin has a law on the books. In place for 172 years, it bans abortion in all cases.
"It's not being enforced because of Roe v. Wade. So if Roe is overturned, abortion could immediately become illegal in the state of Wisconsin," said Atkinson.
Atkinson says Wisconsin's one of only nine states where this type of law exists.
"There are no exceptions for rape, there are no exceptions for incest and there are no exceptions for the health of the mother. So we're encouraging people to reach out to the state Legislature and to ask them to repeal Wisconsin's criminal abortion ban," said Atkinson.
Outside the Supreme Court Wednesday, Dec. 1, were passionate pleas from both sides.
"We believe that this is truly a once in a generation moment for protecting life," said Gracie Skogman, legislative director at Wisconsin Right to Life.
Grace Skogman was there. "And I have not seen crowds that large in many years for any event other than maybe the March for Life. So it was incredible to witness. It was that sense of being part of history."
The Supreme Court isn't expected to rule on this, possibly until June.
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee will spend that time in prayer.
"We will ask the Lord to guide us in our own support of those who are pregnant," said Bishop James Schuerman.
Of the nine Supreme Court justices, six are conservative.